CHAPTER 8: PAKISTAN MOVEMENT 1927-1939

Timeline of the Chapter:

1927: Sir John Simon came as the head of Simon Commission to discuss the possibility of drafting the next
constitution of India by the help of the Indians. The Indians opposed the Commission.
1927: Mohammad Ali Jinnah gave the recommendations to the Simon Commission for the points of Muslims.
1928: In February, Pundit Motilal Nehru became the head of the All Parties Conference called by John Simon.
1929: In March, Jinnah presented his famous Fourteen Points which became the foundation of future
separate country for Muslims.
1930: Gandhi launched his Dandi Salt March and was supported by thousands. Later Gandhi and Nehru were
arrested.
1930: In November, the First RTC at London which was attended by Jinnah, other Muslims, Sikhs and Nawabs
of Princely states.
1930: In December, Dr. Allama Mohammad Iqbal gave his famous speech at Allahabad.
1931: Lord Irwin met Gandhi and he was released from prison. Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed.
1931: The Second RTC was held in London which was attended by Gandhi, Sikhs, Nawabs of Princely states
and Iqbal and Aga Khan from League. Jinnah opted for voluntary exile in London and stayed there away from
the politics of India.
1932: Communal Awards were announced by British Prime Minister Ramsay McDonald which displeased
Gandhi. He started his protest in India and was arrested.
1932: The third RTC was held at London. Neither Jinnah nor Gandhi attended it.
1933: Chaudhri Rehmat Ali coined the name Pakistan in his pamphlet, ‘Now or Never, Are we to live or Perish
forever?’
1935: The British government gave the famous Government of India Act which was disagreed by the Indians.
1937: India had elections in eleven provinces in which Congress with majority.
1937-39: Congress rule was called as tyranny by the Muslims as many reforms affected the Muslims directly.
1939: On 3rd September, the Second World War started and Britain announced India under war.

1939: Congress ministries threatened Britain not to throw India into war. Finally, Congress ministries resigned
on 22nd October when the British government refused to listen.

1939: On 22nd December, Muslims celebrated the Day of Deliverance after they got over with the Congress
rule.
 SIMON COMMISSION:
Simon Commission was made in 1927 to consider the future possibilities of drafting the constitution. It was
headed by Sir John Simon and six other members of British Parliament. It was formed to consider the political
demands by the Congress and the Muslim League to be able to draft the next constitution. Its all members
were British and no Indian was considered which became a big reason of its rejection. The Indians welcome
the Simon Commission with a slogan, ‘GO SIMON-GO HOME.’
In fact, in 1919, the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms stated that a commission would be formed after 10 years
to look for the situation India which was not formed. It was considered as an insult to India and Indians rose
against it. The Congress opposed it openly. Simon Commission made a two-volume report, one came in 1929
and the other came in 1930. It called for the All Parties Conference to be held in India with Motilal Nehru as
its Chairman and his son, Jawaharlal Nehru as the Secretary.
Why did Congress oppose the Simon Commission?
 The Congress objected at the recommendations given by Simon Commission as it did not talk about self-rule
of India.
 The Congress rejected it as the British kept all power with themselves and no real government was granted to
the Indians.
 The British government had not kept their promises which they had kept during the first World War.

DELHI PROPOSALS:
In 1927, Jinnah gave suggestions to the British government and Motilal Nehru to be considered while drafting
constitution for India. It advised for the following points:
 In the Punjab and Bengal, the proportion of representation should be in accordance with the population
 Sindh to be separated from Bombay Presidency.
 One-third representation for Muslims in the Central Legislative Assembly.
 Reforms should be introduced in Baluchistan and NWFP on the same footings as in any other province.
However, the Delhi Proposals were nor considered by the All Parties Conference and Motilal Nehru
highlighted the points of Congress only.

NEHRU REPORT:
In February 1928, the All Parties Conference was held in which a committee was made under Pundit Motilal
Nehru and Jawaharlal Nehru as its secretary.
The nine-member committee gave its suggestions with the name of Nehru Report on 28th-30th August 1928.
It was supported by all Non-Muslims. It stated that India to be a unitary government. It asked for joint
electorates. It also stated immediate dominion status for India, voting rights for all adult male and female. It
asked for Hindi as the official language of India and Cotton weaving as the national occupation. The British
were given one year to accept the recommendation for the report or Non Co-operation was to be started.
Jinnah was not pleased with the Nehru Report.
Why did Jinnah reject the Nehru Report?
 It demanded for joint electorates whereas Muslims asked for separate electorates.
 It demanded Hindi as official language and Muslims wanted Urdu as official language.
 It asked for unitary form of government whereas League wanted federal form of government.
 It asked for all teaching to be done in Hindi and to declare cotton weaving as the national occupation.
FOURTEEN POINTS:
At the annual meeting of Muslim League in March 1929 at Delhi, Jinnah gave his points in order to safeguard
and protect the rights and interests of the Muslims. The Fourteen Points were the first ever demand of the
Muslim League put to the British. These demands covered all aspects of Muslim interests at the time. Jinnah
decided to issue Fourteen Points in response to Nehru Report (1928) which was a scheme of constitution for
India. It had the following points:
 Any future constitution should be federal, power resting with the provinces.
 All Provinces should have the same amount of autonomy.
 All legislatures and local bodies should be constituted with adequate representation of minorities.
 Muslims should have one-third of the seats in the Central Assembly.
 Election should be by separate electorates.
 Any territorial changes should not affect the Muslim majority in Bengal, the Punjab and the NWFP.
 Full liberty of belief and worship shall be granted to all communities.
 No Bill shall be passed in any elected body if three-fourth of any community in that body opposed it.
 Sindh shall be separated from Bombay Presidency.
 There should be reforms in the NWFP and Baluchistan to put them on the same footing as other provinces.
 Muslims should have an adequate share in the services of the state.
 Muslim culture, education, language, religion and charities should be protected by the constitution.
 All cabinets (at central or local level) should have at least One-third Muslim representation.
 The Federation of India must not change laws without the consent of the provinces.

Why did Jinnah produce his Fourteen Points?

 Jinnah decided to issue Fourteen Points in response to Nehru Report (1928) which was a scheme of
constitution for India. It included several points which were against Muslim interests. The Nehru Report
suggested joint electorate (in place of separate electorate for Muslims), unitary form of government (in place
of federal form of government) and Hindi as national language for India. These points were clearly against
Muslim interests and were not liked by the Muslims.
 Jinnah suggested three amendments to the Nehru Report but these were rejected by the Congress. It clearly
showed that the Congress was not sincere with the Muslims.
 Jinnah gave his points in order to safeguard and protect the rights and interests of the Muslims. The 14
Points were the first ever demand of the Muslim League put to the British. These demands covered all aspects
of Muslim interests at the time.

GANDHI’S SALT MARCH:

Also called the 'Salt Satyagraha', to achieve the goal of complete independence, Gandhi launched another civil
disobedience movement. Along with 79 followers, Gandhi started his famous march from Sabarmati Ashram
on March 20, 1930, for the small village Dandi to break the Salt Law. Gandhi inaugurated the Civil
Disobedience Movement, a movement that was to remain unsurpassed in the history of the Indian National
Movement for the countrywide mass participation it unleashed. In response Gandhi and Nehru were arrested.
ALLAMA IQBAL’S ALLAHABAD ADDRESS:
It was delivered by Dr. Allama Mohammad Iqbal during the 25th annual session of the All-India Muslim
League, on 30th December 1930, at Allahabad as the President of Punjab Muslim League.
He gave the idea and concept about a separate homeland in the north-east of India because the Muslim were
a nation and had a right that they got the identification and passed their lives in order to the Islamic
principles. This served as a soul of struggle in the people of Punjab and they contributed actively on the road
to independence. Allama Iqbal’s Allahabad Speech was in complete acceptance of the Two Nation Theory
presented by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan in 1867.

THE FIRST ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE:

The First Round Table Conference (Nov 1930) attended by 89 members, was successful in the sense that it was
agreed that Federal System of government would be adopted for India and responsible representative
government would be set up in provinces. This was a great achievement because the Congress had suggested
’Unitary Form of Government’ in provinces was a good step forward for self-rule. But Congress did not attend
this conference because Congress leaders were in jail on account of Non Co-operation Movement.
What did the first RTC achieve?
Success:
Federal type of government agreed among the participants however it was not finalized.
The British agreed to grant self-rule at provincial level.
Princes of states agreed to join the federation as far as their interests are safeguarded.
Conference agreed on giving provincial status to Sindh.
Failures:
No consensus developed on the structure of federation.
Congress boycotted resulting no chance of accepting reforms in India.

GANDHI-IRWIN PACT:
Lord Irwin met Gandhi in jail and convinced him for playing an active role for the success of the RTCs. Gandhi
demanded for the release of the prisoners the British had kept during the Salt March.
Gandhi and all protestants were released by Lord Irwin and he was made agreed to attend the second RTC at
London.

THE SECOND ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE:

The Second Round Table Conference (1931) was attended by 89 members including the Congress with high
hopes of progress. Mr. Gandhi represented the Congress but he declared that the Congress was the only
political party which could speak for all the Indian people. He also declared that there was no minority
problem in India. Muslims and other minority leaders did not agree with Mr. Gandhi. Therefore, on account of
Mr. Gandhi stubborn and unfair attitude the conference could not achieve much but its success was that it
was declared that Orissa, NWFP and Sind (after separation from Bombay) would be given full provincial status.
The minorities issue remained unresolved.
What did the Second RTC achieve?
 Successes:
Sindh and NWFP were agreed to be made as separate provinces.
Minorities were granted separate electorates.
Voice of minorities heard in the British Parliament.
Failures:
Gandhi’s stubbornness dismissed all other Indian delegates.
Gandhi rejected the demand of separate electorates.
Gandhi demanded acceptance of Nehru Report as future constitution of India.
No formula devised for communal proportions by the minorities

COMMUNAL AWARDS:
In August 1932 the British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald announced that British government would give
position to the minorities. The Muslim were given weightage in Hindu dominated provinces, but Muslims
majority in Punjab and Bengal was reduced.
Congress refused the Communal Awards completely and started to protest again. Gandhi and Nehru were
arrested.

THIRD ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE:

The Third Round Table Conference was held in November 1932. It was again not attended by Congress. Mr.
Jinnah also did not attend. The Conference proved to be a mere formality. It only finalized the reports and
broke up without achieving anything of substance.
What did the thirst RTC achieve?
Successes:
No new issue was created.
Failures:
No solution of the pending disputes.
Congress boycotted the Conference therefore no reform could be implemented.
Jinnah was not invited to the Conference as he was on his voluntary exile.

THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ACT:

In March 1933 the British government gave the Joint Select Committee the task of formulating the new Act for
India. A White Paper (a draft constitutional document) was issued containing the constitutional proposals
discussed in RTCs.
The Committee comprised of 16 members each from the House of Commons and House of Lords, 20
representatives from British India and 7 from the princely states. Lord Linlithgow was appointed as the
president of the Committee. After a year and a half of deliberations, the Committee finally came out with a
draft Bill on December 1934. The Bill was enforced as the Government of India Act in August 1935.
It had the following main recommendations:
 A federation of India was promised for, comprising both provinces and states.
 The Governor General remained the head of the central administration.
 No finance bill could be placed in the Central Legislature without the consent of the Governor General.
 The Federal Legislature was to consist of two houses, the Council of State (Upper House) and the Federal
Assembly (Lower House).
 Two new provinces Sindh and Orissa were created. NWFP was also given provincial status.
 Reforms were introduced in NWFP as were in the other provinces.
 One-third Muslim representation in the Central Legislature was guaranteed.
 Elections to be held in India in all 11 provinces enabling 25% of population of India to vote.

Why was the Government of India Act so important?

 Some provincial autonomy was granted which meant that every provincial government was allowed to devise
and carry out their own programmes and be responsible to their own legislature. This was the first time that
this had been allowed and was seen as an important step forward.
 Ministers in the provinces could have control over all departments except when governors chose to intervene
in cases of public order or to veto a bill they disliked. This was a drawback since it meant that the real power
lay with the governors. However, it did provide additional rights for the local population to vote – some 5
times the previous numbers at 35 million in total.
 Provisions for a federal government were also established at the centre for the first time which meant that
princely states could decide to participate politically in affairs which concerned the sub-continent. However
key decisions relating to external relations and Defence were retained by the British which was a drawback.
Why was the Government of India Act rejected by the Indians?
 The Viceroy and Governor General was head of the Federation and could exert special powers if he wanted
to.
 Provincial governors also had special powers, having the right to dismiss ministers or the whole
administration.
 Only 25% of India’s population could vote because of the property qualification for voting. Therefore, few
could vote.
All parties and groups in India opposed it from princes to the Congress to the Muslim League, so there was
little progress in gaining support.

INDIA’S FIRST ELECTIONS:

The elections were held in January and February 1937 in 11 provinces. (Madras, Central Provinces, Bihar,
United Provinces, Bombay Presidency, Assam, NWFP, Bengal, Punjab and two newly created provinces, Orissa
and Sindh)
The Indian National Congress emerged in power in eight of the provinces - the three exceptions being Bengal,
Punjab, and Sindh. The All-India Muslim League failed to form the government in any province. Of the total of
1,585 seats, Congress won 707 (44.6%) The All-India Muslim League won 106 seats (6.7%).
The election results were a blow to the League. Their campaign had been weak and their leaders were
considered as elite. After the election, Muhammad Ali Jinnah of the League offered to form coalitions with the
Congress but it declined the League's offer.
Why did the Muslim League lose the 1937 Elections?
 The campaigning of the League remained weak as compared to that of the Congress as it was a strong party
and its roots were strong throughout India.
 The voluntary exile of Jinnah played a negative role in the campaign of the League as there was no strong
leader who could unite the Muslims.
 Muslim league was considered a party of elite Muslims who were called Pro-British as its leaders had kept
distance with its supporters whereas Gandhi was close to his people.

CONGRESS RULE:
Congress made unitary government based on their ideology. All measures which could hurt Muslims’ rights
were taken. Muslims were thrown out of their jobs. Their children were dropped from schools. Muslims found
it very difficult to carry out their routine works as Congress Tyranny hurt Muslims a lot.
Why was the Congress Rule hated by Muslims?
 Song of Bande Matram which clearly hurt Muslim feelings, adopted as National Anthem. It was made
compulsory at all educational institutes and offices.
 Wardha Scheme was educational schemes which encouraged Hindu religion and culture. Teaching was to be
in Hindi with no religious education which meant that Muslim students were at a disadvantage.
 Under the Widdya Mandir Scheme, Muslims were required to show reverence for Gandhi’s portrait which was
hung up at schools and colleges. It was not acceptable to Muslims to bow down for anyone except Allah.
 Ban on cow slaughter was enforced as it was considered holy by the Hindus.
 Ban on Azaan in many areas and freedom of prayers for Muslims was taken away from them.

CONGRESS MINISTRIES RESIGNED:

India was thrown in World War II with Germany on 3rd September 1939. The Congress objected strongly to
the declaration of war without prior consultation with Indians.
Linlithgow refused the demands of the Congress. On 22nd October 1939, Congress ministries resigned as they
thought they would be able to take advantage of the situation however it did work out and their resignations
were accepted without delay. Both Viceroy Linlithgow and Muhammad Ali Jinnah were pleased with the
resignations.
Muslims felt happy with the decision of resignation as they got over with the brutal rule of Congress tyranny.

DAY OF DELIVERANCE:
When Jinnah came to know of the blackmailing of the Congress ministries’ resignation, Jinnah put out an
appeal on 2nd December and called for Indian Muslims to celebrate Friday, 22nd December 1939 as a "Day of
Deliverance." Muslims celebrated the day in happiness as they got rid of the brutality of Congress rule.
What did Muslims learn during and after the Congress rule?
 They learned that they would have to reform the Muslim League to be able to compete with the Congress.
 Their unity was very important as they had to fight for their rights by standing as one community.
 They had to develop cordial relations with the British in order to get their rights as a separate community.